Anger as draft measures to tackle air pollution delayed until after poll

THE UK Government has been accused of “pure political expediency” in seeking to delay publishing plans to tackle air pollution until after the General Election.

Ministers had been given until 4pm yesterday to set out draft measures on reducing illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution, after the courts ruled existing plans to meet EU-mandated air quality limits were not sufficient.

But in a surprise move on Friday night, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) lodged an application with the High Court to delay publication until after the June 8 poll.

Tony Lewis, head of policy at Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, led criticism of the move, saying: “They’ve had months to get their air quality plans ready and using purdah as an excuse is pure political expediency.”

EU data shows Glasgow has the highest average annual concentration of NO2 outside of London, with 68 micrograms of NO2 per cubic metre of air; 70 per cent higher than the Euro limit.

A recent survey revealed Scotland’s most polluted street was Hope Street in Glasgow, with St John’s Road, Edinburgh, second.

However, in an emergency statement Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom told MPs it was “not appropriate” to publish the plan during the pre-election period and pledged to unveil the draft proposals on June 30.

Responding to an urgent question from Labour in the Commons, she said the move would not delay the implementation of the plans and insisted ministers were deeply committed to improving air quality.

“In accordance with the guidance covering both the local and general elections, the proprietary and ethics team in Cabinet Office have told us it would not be appropriate to launch the consultation and publish the air quality plan during this time.

“I also want to make very clear that we now have entered a period of time where we are strongly advised not to be publishing consultations and so what we are trying to do is a very short extension, which we do not believe will make a difference to the implementation of our plans but at the same time we are safeguarding our democracy.”

But Sue Hayman, Ms Leadsom’s Labour shadow said it was unacceptable to hide behind the election and accused ministers of presiding over a public health emergency.

“Only a Labour government will legislate for a new Clean Air Act setting out how we would tackle air pollution that damages the lives of millions while this Conservative Government continues to shamefully shirk its legal responsibilities and puts the health of millions at risk.”